Air valve



L. LA-SHER June 15, 1937.

AIR VALVE Filed Jan. l0, 1934 1 WY? I.

Patented vJune 15,1 193,1"

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR VALVE Lester Lasher, Salem, Mass.

Application January 10, 19,34, Serial No. 706,054

11 Claims.

My present invention is a novel and improved construction and operation for air release valves, irticularly for use on heating radiators or the vIn the usual type of air release valve, as attached to radiators, particularly steam or hot vWater heating radiators, a valve structure is arranged wherein the valve is open when the radiator is cool, permitting air to enter, and as the heat progresses, the air is driven out through the valve until the steam or hot water reaches the valve, whereupon a float is lifted, a member ex-I panded, or other means actuated to close thel valve and prevent further escape of the heating element.

My present invention aims toimprove and perfect such valve construction and, furthermore,` to provide a novel valve construction whereby individual adjustment for each valve and, hence for each radiator, in each room or compartment may be individually adjusted to effect a closing of the valve at predetermined times-or temperatures, thus affording a controlled air'venting operation, and'similarly controlling the room temperatures 5 afforded by the heating of the radiator to which my improved valve is attached.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a valve structure suitable for instant and automatic adjustment by the user,

o so that the action of the valve in closing may be changed from time to time as the individual wishes or requirements of the user vary.

Heretofore such air venting valves have not been constructed to permit such individual ad- 35 justment by the user -and by unskilled persons and, hence, when the valve was once set, it continued to operate at the same relative time and condition providing its efficiency was not impaired. Y

The usual individual adjustment on radiators was simply to turn the intake off and on, or partly so turned, but so far as applicant is aware, it is a distinct novelty -in this art to provide a heating system with air venting valves wherein the air valves individually may be adjusted by the user from. time to time.

heater should be most properly adjusted to function at a predetermined time, While those more remote should be adjusted differently for the greatest eciency of the entire system.

It is to carry out such an improvement in the entire system that my invention is primarily directed. Thus I provide a means for a-balanced 'operation throughout the entire system by adjustment of my automatic air venting and vacuum valves at predetermined points throughout the system.

This individual and improved feature is also a distinct novelty in this art, so far as. I am at present informed, and Iv wish to claim herein this improvement in a heating system broadly ofcontrolled venting, and also controlled intake of air.

Furthermore, it is a distinct novelty of my invention to be able to close the venting valve when there'is no heat or 'water in the radiator or heating system and, thus, no air can pass through the valve either way as an inlet or outlet.

Referring to the drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of my present invention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical view of my valve;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the adjusting feature, andv Fig. 4 is a modified form of the check valve structure. l

Fig. 5 is a-modied form of base with the extension .in vertical alignment.

Referring to the drawing, I is a base casting or portion of the Valve to which the upper cover or casing. 2 is threaded, as indicated at 4, and a steam-tight joint isprovided by the packing gland 5 and nut 6 threaded on the exterior of the casing 2 and overlapping a washer andadjacent part of the threaded top -of the casing I. Through the recess in the bottom of the casingl is secured a. hollow sleeve l)v in which an externally threaded cap I2 is fitted, adapted to compress a packing member I3 and washer I4 on the interior, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, giving a steam-tight packing around the stem I5, which is threaded through the sleeve I0 and-has a notch IG-to permit rotation of the stem to secure a vertical adjustment relative tothe sleeve I0 and hence with the base I. This member IU is preferably tted within the base I to the end I8 of an adjustable thermostat bellows 20, having the 'opposite end in the form of a crown or rounded closure 2|, which also is preferably formed with a depending stem 22 which will contact with the lower end I8 and limit the collapsing movement of the bellows 20.

' of bellows 2li prior to any/action by the float 25, l since the temperature ne essary to cause the oat 25 to operate, that is toysa ,the temperature at which the bottom of the oat will snap downwardly, is above that necessary to cause expansion of bellows 20.

It can be seen, therefore, that while the valve has a maximum temperature at which it will close under the positive action'of float 25, it may be set to close at lower temperatures under the operation of the bellows 2li alone, the closing temperature being determined by the setting of the valve stem 30 under the influence of the rotatable stem I5. Thus, if the venting opening is restricted by an upward adjustment of valve stem 30 or a. downward movement of the seat 3l as in Fig. 3, the valve will close at a relatively low temperature under the influence of the expanding bellows 20. As the initial venting opening is increased the temperature at which closing takes place will increase. 'Ihe upper limit of closing temperature is determined, however, by the temperature at which the float 25 operates. If the vent has not been closed by the expanding bellows 20 by the time the temperature reaches the operative temperature of the iloat, the float will then expand and complete the closing of the vent. It should also be pointed out, although it is believed obvious, that expansion of bellows 20 takes place whenever the pressure within the bellows exceedsvthe Apressure without. Thus, if the pressure within the valve casing 2 is reduced below atmospheric, due to collapse of the steam in cooling, bellows 20 will elongate, and if the negative pressure becomes great enough the valve stem 30 may be caused to vengage valve seat 3| sealing the valve against incoming air. Preferably the float 25 has the bottom` portion 23 of concave-convex contour, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, thus giving a centering eilect on the crowned portion of the end member 2l and also facilitating the expansion and-contraction and hence the quick acting function of the apparatus, as will be readily appreciated. At the upper part of the float 25 is the valve stem 30 adapted to engage a valve seat 3l in the member 32 fitted at the i uppermost part of the casing I, herein shown as threaded .in the hub portion of the casing, as indicated at 33, or in any other suitable manner, the upper part of the'member 32 providing a check valve seat 34 and in which a ball will rest and prevent air intake. A cap 35 with venting ports 31 and 33 is threaded onto the member 32 andA permits ready assembly.

Formed preferably as a part of the base I is an extension I0, here shown in Figs. 1, 2. and 3 as extending laterally to enable the valve to4 be attached at one side, although the extension 40 may of course be in vertical alignment when desired, as shown in Fig. 5. Preferably, I ilt a syphon 4I extending through the'extension 40 I and of less diameter to allow 'the steam. air, or water to flow through the extension 40, as shown at 42, around the syphon Il, through the port 4I,

and into the chamber 45 and directly in contact with the exterior of the thermostatic bellows 20 and of the iloat 25, thus affording quick action.

' Thereupon, when steam is admitted to the radi'- ator to which my valve is attached, the air will escape through the recess 42'and port M and out of the valve member 32, lifting'the check valve 35 and escaping through the ven't ports 31 and 38 until heated vapor enters the valve following the escaping air. Thereupon the thermostat bellows 20 and the thermostat iloat 25 will expand, lifting the valve stern 30 and closing the escape from the valve. The ne adjustment permitted by rotating the stem I5 enables the temperature for such valve-closing action to be predetermined as desired In the form shown in Fig. 3, I have arranged the adjustable feature at the top of the valve, raising and lowering the valve seat itself by manipulation of the, hand-wheel 50. In this form the thermostat bellows 20 is secured to the stem 5I which, in turn, is threaded through a nut 52 in the base I, and while it may be adjusted during assembly, it is then locked in adjusted position by the cap 53. lAt the upper part of the ,casing 2 in this form I apply the valve support 55 to the casing 2, the valve member 53 being rigidly attached to the hand-wheel 5I) and being raised or lowered relatively with the casing 2 and valve stem 30 by rotating the hand wheel 50 and the action of the threaded exterior of the valve member 56 on the nut 53, which in turn is threaded within the supporting member 55 andxnay compress the packing 53, thus rendering a steamtight joint. A stop 50 limits the outward movement of the valve seat member, and I preferably form a shouldered portion 6I which will limit the downward position of the valve seat member. A closing nut r 52 with venting ports 33 and 3l complete the assemblage.

The operation of this valve is identical with that just described only the valve seat 3| is raised and lowered relatively with the stem 33.

In Fig. 4 a still further modicationis illustrated in utilizing a washer or block 'III in place of the check valve 35. In this form the valve seat member II is threaded nto the hub of the casing 2v and carries the exterior c ap 'I3 with the venting ports 14 and 'I5 and is provided with a substantially rectangular space or area of slightly greater dimensions than that of the washer member 10. which latter is proportioned so as to enable it to be lifted easily from its seat, thus allowing the air tomass out the venting port 15 upon a slight rocl ng or lifting of the washer 13, but will normally rest on the top of the valve seat memberv 1I, closing the same. For this purpose I may utilize a block of any suitable leather, rubber, or compound.

For this latter fon'n by utilizing the block .13, the danger of the check valvel sticking in-the valve seat or otherwise impairing the function material,

of the valve partly during any long period oi idleness, as in summer, is eliminated.

It will be appreciated Vthat my readily adjustable valve structure greatly facilitates the control of the venting in each room, both of the temperature desired and `for distance from the boiler, thereby giving balanced radiation and `controlled venting throughout an entire heating system.

Thus by an adjustment of the capacity of the air vents in any radiator, the heat supply can be induced into or repelled from the radiatorso adjusted.

Furthermore, if a plurality of radiators are equipped, each with my improved valve, the entire set may be so adjusted as to function in balanced relation proportional to the distance, pipe, bends, or other conditions `so that the radiators will all be in substantially equal heat-receiving'relation. Thus, by way of example, let it be presumed that it is desired to have the radiators'in the living room of the house so adjusted that the thermostat will automatically close the same when the temperature in the radiator of to 160 F.

has been reached. By adjusting the operation' of the'thermostat bellows 20 toward or from the Valve seat-or adjusting the valve seat toward and from the valve stem-this radiator can be caused to close at a temperature of approximately 150 to 160 F. Another radiator in the system, in the bathroom for example, can be adjusted to close thermostatically at a higher temperature, to 190 F. by way of illustration. l

I believe that my improved adjustable thermostatic temperature control valve invention, and the adjustment of an entire heating system in balanced relation as above explained is distinctly new in this art, and I wish to claim the same herein broadly.

1. In a radiator air venting valve, a base, a shell having a vent mounted on said base, dual thermostatic means mounted on the base, one of said means capable of closing said vent instantly,

the other means capable of closing said ventv gradually, at least one o f said means being a hollow sealed member.

2. A radiator air venting valve comprising a shell with a vent therein, adjustable thermostatically operated Vent closing means, said mains comprising a first thermostatic means capable of gradually closing said vent at selected temperatures and a second thermostatic means capable of closing said vent instantly in conjunction with said rst means at a temperature higher than said selected temperatures, at least one of said means being a hollow sealed member.

3.' An automatic air ventingj/alve for steam radiators comprising an outer L,casing, a vent therein and vent closing means within said casing, said means comprising a hollow water-tight thermostatic float mounted on a thermostatic bellows, said bellows arranged to expand prior to the expansion of said iioat.

4. An automatic air Venting valve for steam radiators in which the vent closing means comprises a hollow water-tight thermostatic iioat 'and a thermostatic bellows arranged axially of each other, au adjustment for varying the venting capacity, said bellows through part of the range of adjustment being capable of closing said vent without the actuation of said iloat.

5. In an automatic Aair venting valve for steam radiators including a casing with a vent, the combination of two thermostatically operated units, one of which is a hollow sealed member, one of said units arranged to expand gradually under the inuence of heat, the other arranged to expand suddenly under the iniuence of heat, the coaction oi' said units resulting in closing said vent.

6. In a radiator air venting valve', a base,l a casing detachably mounted thereon, a vent includinga Valve seat in said casing, longitudinally adjustable thermostatically operated means for closing said vent, said means comprising a thermostatic bellows adjustablymounted on said base, a hollow water-tight thermostatic iloat supported by said bellows, said bellows operating at temperatures lower than the iloat operating temperature.

'7. In an automatic air venting valve for steam radiators, valve closing means comprising a thermostatic iioat arranged to actuate said valve closing means instantly at a pre-detennined temperature and a thermostatic bellows arranged to gradually close said valve closing'means under the influence of increasing temperatures lower.

than said pre-determined temperature.

radiators, having dual thermostatic controls, vone of said controls operating to close the valve gradually under increasing temperatures-below a predetermined temperature, the other of said controls operating to complete the closing instantlyl when the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature at least one ofI said means being a hollow sealed member.

9. In ra. venting Valve for steam radiators, a casing with a vent therein, closing means for -said vent comprising a hollow watertight thermostatic tloat and a substantially noncollapsiblev bellows, vboth the float and bellows'mounted in Y said casing on an adjustable stem to which said y hollow watertight thermostatic float, said iloat supported by al bellows permanently mounted on an adjustable stem threaded, into said base, said bellows capable of axial expansion under the influence of pressure greater than the internal valve pressure but substantially incapable of collapse when said pressure is less than the internal valve pressure.

l1. In a radiator air venting valve, a casing having a vent, and means mounted in said casing for closing said vent comprising a hollow watertight sealed thermostatic float, a bellows supportingl said iioatand adjustably mounted in said casing on an adjustable stem to which it is ailixed, said bellows operated by pressure diierences but substantially incapable of compression below its normal length.

LESTER LASHER. 

